Claire’s Story

I’ll tell you a little bit about myself first, though I am my business and my business is me…

I was always very career minded and have over 25 years of sales and marketing experience, but couldn’t quite fit into the box that is expected of you when you are employed.

I’d always loved the idea of working for myself but a) I had no idea how to go about it and b) I didn’t really know what I wanted to do. I knew I wanted to work in an industry that helped people but just couldn’t identify what that job was

Until in 2004 my job found me.

I was signed off sick from work with a stress illness. It completely took me over. I lost all my confidence, I didn’t go outside for 8 weeks and just became a shadow of my former self.

I went to stay with a friend and as a “surprise” she booked me an appointment with an image consultant to try and make me feel better. I was really nervous as I didn’t know what to expect but was open to anything that would make me feel better about myself.

So I went – and WOW – what a difference it made!! It improved my confidence in knowing what colours and shapes flattered me most. I had always been interested in style rather than fashion and have experimented with several “looks” along the way. Imagine my surprise to hear that even though I have dark brown hair, dark brown eyes and tan really easily that cream does nothing for me, my then favourite shade of green made me look like I had fallen into a muddy ditch, and that bronzer is the least flattering make-up for me. Treble that surprise when I found the brightest jewel-like colours make my skin look clearer, my eyes look brighter, my jawline more defined and when I wear them they look so right – as if they “belong” with me. I now love wearing colour – knowing that the clothes I am wearing really flatter me – is the biggest confidence builder.

I learnt to look 2 dress sizers smaller AND by learning about my wardrobe personality I discovered it was more than ok “to be me” and that no one was trying to change me. Having previously felt so low, I had completely missed the fact that I (as does EVERYONE) had some great things going for me – and the Image Consultant helped bring these out by enhancing what I already had. Those 6 hours completely changed my life.

All I could talk about afterwards was how great it would be to help make someone feel that good about themselves. The penny finally dropped that I could do this for a living too.

So I researched the field – I wanted to be properly trained and for my training to be recognised in the industry.

So – I quit my very well paid job with a company car, to start training as an Image Consultant. I trained with one of the industry’s leading training providers called First Impressions. They had a different approach to colour analysis, which to me seemed much more in depth than the seasonal method a lot of image consultants used at the time. With the method I use everyone can wear EVERY colour – it’s just about the shade.

I wanted to bring a fresh approach to Image Consultancy in the area – since I trained there are a lot more of us around now which is great as it really is a growing industry, but at the time people just likened me to Trinny and Susannah.

The reason I am SO not like them (and that Gok is more like me) is that I always focus on the positive – never the negative. I work with someone as they are today and not what they might hope to be. I can help give people the confidence to be what they hope to be – they may even realise they are already that person and just needed a nudge in the right direction.

I am much more into style than fashion, and I will NEVER tell someone they CAN’T do something. For example, a lot of peoples fear is that they will be told they CAN’T wear black. Who am I to tell someone they can’t do something – how rude would that be?

I simply make suggestions of what is the most flattering colour or shape to someone and if a colour such as black is particularly unforgiving I will try and help the client see that for themselves or how they could best wear that colour.

I work with people of all ages , all walks of life and all budgets. I work with individuals and groups who want to improve their confidence by looking great and feeling great, and understand that an investment in themselves will not only save them a small fortune on clothes in the future but could actually change their future.

So what with wearing my business hat and being a wife and Mummy , my life is really busy, but I feel particularly blessed to not only be doing a job I absolutely adore, but also to have the support from my husband and family and for the great people I have met along the way who not only have supported me but also inspired me.

If you think I can be of help to you in ANY way, please come and see me or email me – I’ll do whatever I can to help!”